Few neighborhoods will allow a full-scale auto body repair shop at someone's home. Zoning laws don't allow businesses such as these in residential neighborhoods. Neighbors are rightly concerned about what the mess and fumes of such an enterprise will do to their property values. An auto repair shop can be set up at home on a small scale if it's done with thought and consideration for the neighbors. If the shop is set up with careful planning, it can provide extra income without incurring the expenses of a commercial shop.
Instructions
1. Decide organize space for the shop. The garage will probably be the best space to set up an auto body repair shop because the repairman can work on the cars in the garage, out of sight of neighbors who are bothered by the work. Since auto body repair involves working with various chemicals and paints, make sure that there is plenty of cross ventilation in the space.
2. Secure the doors and windows of the garage. Store equipment and tools in the garage only after secure locks have been installed on all doors and windows and an alarm system installed.
3. Consult with a licensed electrician regarding wire the garage for the necessary electrical work. Decide which equipment will be in the shop so that the electrician knows whether three phase wiring will be necessary or not. (See Reference 3.)
Obtain three estimates for the electrical work before hiring an electrician. Make sure that everything is written down so that it's clear to all sides what the expectations are for the electrical work.
4. Complete an auto body repair course. While many auto repairmen learn their trade by apprenticing at auto body repair shops and through friends who work in the field, completing a course is the best way to stay on top of different techniques, new methods and new products that are on the market. It's also a good way to make contacts in the field. (See Reference 1.)
5. Buy the equipment needed to do auto body repair work. Equipment for auto body repair work can be purchased through the Internet. (See Reference 2.)
Buy the most basic equipment first. After completing the auto body repair course, decide which tools and equipment are vital to start the auto body repair shop. More tools and equipment can be added later.
6. Begin to advertise auto body repair services. Fliers, ads in local newspapers, local listserves and word-of-mouth are all good ways to start advertising. Remember that the shop should not annoy neighbors so don't take on more than two cars at once -- one car to work on in the garage while the second car is waiting in the driveway or on the street.
7. Register the shop with the federal and state tax authorities.
Tags: body repair, auto body, auto body repair, repair shop, body repair shop
